Carpenter, Trades ​/ Skilled Labor

Location: Springfield

General Description

A Carpenter is an hourly-rated, skilled craft position that will assist with daily work tasks at the direction of the job Foreman and with little or no supervision. A successful Carpenter will be familiar with materials and carpentry methods used for standard bridge and culvert construction and all other tasks typical to heavy highway bridge construction.

Key Duties

• Drive piling
• Build job-specific wood forms and assemble commercially-available form systems
• Construct rebar templates
• Erect and wreck all forms
• Pour, grade and finish concrete
• Load and unload materials
• Shovel dirt, gravel and asphalt
• Perform general housekeeping and clean-up of the job site
• Check and maintain grade stakes and other survey markings
• Maintain equipment and tools
• Enter confined spaces, as required
• Can safely and properly operate an aerial lift
• Can obtain qualified rigger qualifications
• Provide signaling and direction to Crane Operators
• Must have own tools
• Perform incidental work items and duties included within other crafts
• Always understand and follow all company safety rules
• Attend all company training and safety meetings
• Be punctual and have satisfactory attendance
• Can efficiently lead laborers on small tasks

Qualification Requirements

Education and Experience:

This position typically is not an entry-level job, as it requires demonstrable previous experience as a Bridge Carpenter. A high school diploma or general education degree (GED) is preferred. Must be able to understand work directions and communicate effectively with job site supervisors and fellow employees. Three (3) to Five (5) years or more of industry related experience is required.

Physical Demands:

• Constant physical effort, including standing, is required during a regular work shift of at least eight hours per day. Employee must be able to stand for extended periods of time, and to stoop, bend, and crouch as required to perform Key Duties.
• Work is often performed at significant heights, requiring the employee to climb ladders, use aerial lifts and/or walk narrow bridge beams.
• Frequently work with hands extended overhead, sometimes in conjunction with the operation of hand power tools.
• Ability to lift and carry, on a frequent basis, at least 50-90 pounds personally, and up to 150 pounds with assistance.
• Manual dexterity to hand-carry generators, lumber and other construction materials, forms, power tools, and hand tools.
• Capable of operating concrete vibrators for extended periods of time.
• Physical dexterity to pour, grade and finish concrete, involving stretching, proper placement of legs, and use of arms and hands in repetitive motions.
• Maintain constant alertness to the multiple concurrent activities of the construction site, including the activities of other employees and contractors, the operation of stationary equipment, and the movement of mobile equipment.
• Frequently walk on uneven surfaces, including natural ground in varying weather conditions.
• Capable of walking on rebar mats with varying spacing for extended durations.
• Capable of being certified to enter confined spaces, including climbing into and out of excavations up to 15 feet in depth, using ladders or crawling, as required.
• Capable to provide direction and flagging for operators of cranes with varying capacities.
• Capable of safely and productively operating a man-lift.
• Ability to maintain balance while working on leading edge surfaces.

Work Environment:

• Work is performed outdoors in all weather conditions.
  • Work environment periodically exposes the employees to high levels of noise, grease, and dust that is typically associated with a construction project.
  • Employees regularly work near heavy equipment and moving machinery.
  • Work may involve a variety of substances commonly found on construction sites such as form oil, grease, curing compounds, gasoline, diesel fuel and ready mixed concrete.

Required Tools:

This list should be used as a guide and may not list every tool needed for some specific tasks but are the general items a Carpenter should have with them on a daily basis:

Tool Belt and side pouches

Chalk box and chalk

Cats Paw

Flat bar (Wonder Bar or equivalent)

Pencils & small notebook

Pliers (slip joint)

16-22 oz. hammer

Work boots (leather with steel toe recommended)

Retractable steel tape (25' min)

Plumb bob and line

Utility knife and blades

Aviation snips

Speed square

2' & 4' level

Fine point marker(s)

Torpedo level

Steel tape (50' min)

Straight screwdrivers (2) (1/4" and 3/8" blade width)

Phillips screwdrivers (3) (#1, #2, #3)

Set of wood chisels (1/4", ½", 3/4" 1", 1 ¼" 1 1/2")

Framing square

Dry line (100' min)

Cold chisel (3/4" X 6")

6R vice grips

Folding rule (6' or 8' reverse read)

Margin trowel

Lineman pliers (high pivot recommended)

Set of paddle bits (1/4" to 1")

Hand float

Vice grips (10")

Putty knife

End nippers